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Parents Who Need to Share Before a DNA Test ‘Outs’ Their Secret
Some parents have decided it’s time to share with their child news about the child’s parentage.
The Mindful NPE Chats With Grey Genetics About Her DNA Surprise
Imagine sitting in a restaurant waiting for your dinner date to arrive and finding out from your iPhone that half of your family is not what you expected. Then heading to the bathroom to call Ancestry and ask, "Could this be wrong?"
Understanding Genealogical Bewilderment and Identity Disruption
"Genealogical bewilderment" and "identity disruption" are two terms to understand if you're an NPE or are connected to one in your circle of friends and family.
Reflections on the Impact of a Discovered Adult Child on a Marriage
Laura’s story gives us insight into the impact that a sudden discovery of an adult biological child has on a marriage.
A New Podcast, the Bradley Hall Show
The most common FIRST question I am asked as a genetic counselor and DNA coach working with those in NPE situations. That first question is most commonly, “Could the DNA test be wrong?”
“The Lost Family” Gets to the Core Issues at Hand With DNA Testing and Family Secrets
The first book of its genre to cover the pressing topic of DNA tests and the end of family secrets, Copeland’s The Lost Family provides an overview of the current DNA test landscape and a short history of how it came to be this way.
“I Believe My Mom Made the Best Decision She Thought She Could at the Time”: An NPE Discovery
Janna shares her experience and how she has coped with the decision made decades ago by her teenage mother after a high school party and an unplanned pregnancy.
“If My Dad’s Not My Biological Father, Then Who Is?”
More people every day are discovering unexpected news about their parentage as a result of consumer DNA tests. As a licensed and certified genetic counselor specializing in ancestry testing, I have more and more people reach out to me wondering could it be true my dad’s not my dad? If so, then who IS?
5 Tips for an Adoption-Related Search
Here’s some advice I’ve gathered for those who are considering or already have involved DNA testing in an adoption-related search.
When the DNA Test Results are Wrong
Sometimes 23andMe reports an inaccurate DNA relationship between two testers. A half sibling is not always a half sibling. It could be a cousin, for example.
GSA Video on YouTube
This YouTube video went up a few days ago, created and posted by an adoptee named Blake who experienced GSA after reuniting with a biological parent (father/same-sex parent in his case).
Umbilical Cord Blood Donation and Ancestry Testing
Umbilical cord blood donation allows a type of stem cell transplant.
“Dear Brianne...I Reached Out to My Unexpected Half-Sister but Now I’m Worried. Did I Jump the Gun?”
I recently received a message from someone who made an unexpected discovery of a new family member after doing DNA testing.
Should People Have at-Home DNA Tests for Medical Purposes?
I’m often asked for my thoughts on whether at-home DNA tests should be used for medical purposes, since they are the only option some people can afford.
“I Think I Figured Out My Father Isn’t My Father, but I Don’t Know What to Do Now.”
Ancestry tests work like paternity testing, in that they are able to detect whether or not you are matching to close biological family correctly or not. The results can be confusing, especially to someone not familiar with the way ancestry test results are displayed.
A Call From Wendell: James’s DNA Surprise Story
The uncovering of one DNA surprise can sometimes have a domino effect in a family. In the case of James and his family, the discovery that the father who raised James wasn’t his biological father led to the same discovery for his three siblings as well.
People Who Are Discovering NPE Are Meeting up in-Person for Support and Community
NPE meet and greets rapidly growing worldwide.
Starting a Blog Helped Stacey Cope With Her DNA Surprise
Stacey reached out to me looking to connect with and find support from others who have discovered from DNA testing that they have Misattributed Parentage (NPE).
Making Your Existence Known to Bio Family - Should You or Shouldn’t You?
If you are in a spot of deciding whether to reach out to genetic family who may or may not be aware of your existence, consider the situation pressing, but not urgent.
“Do You Wish You’d Never Done a DNA Test?” - Guest Post by Casey
Casey shares with us her DNA surprise, a shocking realization about herself and her connection with family that unfolded over time.